Author Archive

D: Gwen writes, drops that hat and acts, then drops that hat and edits—she’s a triple threat. G: Minus the singing and dancing. D: We’re working on that. “D” and “G” are Douglas Elford-Argent and Gwendolyn Garver who were enjoying the success hot hors d’oeuvres offered to them by white-gloved waiters at the Pasadena International […]

It’s on the boulevard, Eagle Rock Boulevard, which has corners of interest, spots of attraction, but is no Old Pasadena or South Lake Avenue, which can name drop and present a thriving front. But Eagle Rock seems to breathe easier, be casual and intriguing without trying. It’s a place to find hidden treasures and favorite […]

The family home was full. It was Super Bowl weekend and the “inn” had no bed for us. Luckily, Pops had an offer: How about staying in an airflow? —Excuse us, a what? —An airflow. Next to Jimbo’s bar. There’s the trailer park, remember? —Yes, of course. —Well, they’ve taken a few spots and put […]

Cooking at the Arboretum means “Creating the Table” and this week, Valentine’s Day week, Sally Cook of Heirloom Bakery & Cafe in South Pasadena will be whipping up a Valentine’s Day tea. The afternoon menu will include: Currant, buttermilk, and lemon scone with fast “clotted” cream Bacon, green onion and aged white cheddar scone (variation […]

How relevant when one considers the insidious, infectious elements of current society—the “now, me, and more” constituency—a story about a woman considered mad, eccentric, and an idealist who would prefer to live in a happy, beautiful world, yet finds herself among men of power who are willing to destroy a precious jewel, the city of […]

We have a loved one who is mad about red velvet anything, so when we say Auntie Em’s touting their red velvet cupcakes, and as Valentine’s Day shall soon be here and we might want a V-Day treat for said loved one, we headed toward Eagle Rock Boulevard ready for a taste test. Little did […]

Today, our sister in New Hampshire—where the estimated snow accumulation is 48 inches—had to shovel her snow banks because they’re too high. After clearing an older relative’s driveway, which she’s done repeatedly these past weeks, she came home to shovel the snowbanks, to bring ‘em down a notch in anticipation of another storm. She was […]

Ann Erdman loves history: the histories of her family, her town. Over years, she has tracked her family tree—sharing many of her findings on AnnErdman.blogspot—and in the depths of the Pasadena Museum of History, she found local photographic treasures. Then she thought it would be fun to put us to the test… Mystery History is […]

Love the fungi? Those funny things that pop up here and there—and often where you wish they wouldn’t—that have stipes, caps, and gills? Find a few that look as though they’d make a delectable soup but you’d rather not wipe out the entire family at one sitting? Then the Mushroom Fair at the Arboretum may […]

Michael Stern is a fellow Sequoyah School parent who offered a helping hand when we were begged to take on the job of the yearly student, class, and staff photos. In the years since then—and despite our being a basic natural light photographer and Michael being everything we are not—he has been unstintingly generous with […]